American History Homework Nine Answers - Student Eight

VeronikaF

1. In your opinion, the 2008 election that concluded on Tuesday is most similar to which election in history, and why? The 2008 election was most similar to the 1828 presidential election when Andrew Jackson became president. In both elections the Democrats won. Jackson and Obama were both different than the presidents before them in many ways. In both cases the presidents before them were not in the same party as they. The American citizens were tired and wanted a change so they voted for a different party in the next election. Andrew Jackson, a Democrat like Barak Obama, was a common man and represented the frontier. He was different from the other former presidents because he was not born in a rich family, but was brought up in a poor one. He was the first president to represent the common man. He had no connection with politics and had to start his political life with the help of his intellect. He could have given up because he did not have money or influence and probably many people discouraged him. Obama is the first black president. Barak Obama was not born in a rich family too and he also might have been discouraged by his classmates because of his skin color, but he knew that did not matter and that he had as much chance of becoming president as anyone else ever would.

Excellent analysis.

2. Imperialism: a good or bad thing? Imperialism was a good thing because by controlling other territories surrounded by water the Americans could have better control over the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. If America did not reach out and use this power Europe would start taking possession of the many islands near America, which would have given them an advantage against the American Navy if they went into battle. The USA was right to help Cuba gain independence from Spain, which drove Spain back to Europe where they belonged. Later on, America gave Cuba their independence with some consequences. America became even more dominant in the world when they obtained Hawaii and Cuba.

Superb analysis. Will use as a model!

3. Your thoughts on the progressive movement, please. The progressive movement was a good thing for America. Many things were getting out of hand and the government had to interfere before there would be violence. This was one of the first times that it was a good thing that the government became involved with the country’s dilemmas. The progressive movement helped banish child labor and the monopolizing of businesses. Prohibition was good in some ways and bad in other ways. Alcohol can be a social evil and is in many cases a cause of abuse or divorce between marriages, but on the other hand the people who were addicted to it might have had a hard time stopping and would be tempted to break the law by drinking illegal alcohol. There would be more people in jail because of it.

Well done.

4. Please explain the cartoon in the Minnesota Tribune, having the caption at top, "WHAT WILL HE DO!" and the caption at the bottom, "The eyes of the world are upon him." Include your description of the point of view of the cartoonist. This political cartoon depicting Woodrow Wilson about to throw a savage child, which symbolizes the Philippines, off the cliff was published in 1898. Wilson had to choose either to maintain control of the Philippines or let Spain control. On the left side the world looks on and does not interfere. The world was impatient with how long Wilson took to decide which shows that it was an important decision. The cartoonist did not seem to be thinking about independence for the Philippines.

Not Wilson, but otherwise correct in your analysis, which is what counts.

Perfect score! 40/40. Congratulations!--Aschlafly 20:16, 15 November 2008 (EST)